Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-26
Tales aud Sketfhes.
THE WOLF-CHARMER.

There was sorrow and great trouble IN
the household of Michael Tronski, the
fiddler ofsAruntra, small village in
Austrian Poland. He had fallen that
morning from ladder in the course of
mending the thatch on his cottage roof,
and was now lying in bed, grooming and
helpless, with a broken arm and collar
bone. Worse still, there had been heavy
sickness and death in the family. Doctors
bills and other expenses had swallowed
I'D all the poor violin .scraper's savings.
Now that he was laid helpless on his back,
restitution and starvation stared him and
his children in the face.
ado not take on so father DEAR" said
Marscha, the fiddler's little daughter as
she moistened the sick mans lips with
water in a vain attempt to allav his burn
ing thirst She was only twelve wears
old, but her mothers early death had
made it necessary to be womanly very
early. She had helped the doctor that
day, as he sat her fathers broken limb,
with courage and quiet presence OF mind
that had won his highest praise.
"No need for any other nurse so long as
you are with him, my DEAR" he said.
"Only see that he IS kept quiet and his
mind easy"
His mind easy! Yes, that was easily
said," thought poor Marscha, who knew
that there was no more food IN the house
than would serve for that day and the
next, nor any money to buy more. Her
poor father had, as she knew, reckoned
on earning enough to keep them tor weeks
by playing that very evening at the we'd
ding feast of Janosz Patusta, the richest
farmer in The neighborhood. Still the
brave girl resolved to do her best.
"My children! My chlldren"' he kept
moaning. Everything gone! Neither
food nor money in the house, and l lying
here like a log unable to earn more! My
poor. helpless children, what will become
of them?''
Dear father" said Marscha, God
will provide for us, am sure. Mother
always told me not to be afraid. And
then there's IVAN"
.Iwan, yes," said the old man bitterly.
"Iwan could have taken my place to
night if | had not been such an obstinate
ass, and insisted upon him learning car
pentrv instead of liddling. | was deter
mined that nv son should be something
better than fiddler, forsooth, and never
would let him learn. He is we'll avenged
now, and we shall all starve.
No, we shan't," replied Marscha. 81
made enough bread yesterday to last US
for two days yet, and neighbor Brigatta
gave me some milk this morning, | am
going to get you some now"
MY poor motherless child !" muttered
the man. MAY God help us, as you say
Where is Anna?"
..Brigatta took her home with her to be
out of the way, as she is so little. Drink,
dear father" and she held the cup to his
mouth.
At this moment tall. handsome boy
entered the cottage. with grief and dis
tress on his face. Marscha made him a
sign to control himself. He made an
answering sign and slowly approached
the bed.
Dear father" he said. II have just
heard of your terrible accident, and my
good master let me come to you at once
to see if could help"
done-unless, he corrected himself,
"Carlovitz would let you 60 over to
Janosz Patusta, at the farm, and tell him
that cannot play the violin tonight at the
wedding There is nobody in the village
whom l can send in my place. We shall
soon know what starving means"
Father" said the boy eagerly, and
with certain confusion of manner, 'let
me 60 instead of you"
YOU said Michael-''you What
could you do! | never allowed you to
learn even how to handle the bow"
but learned for all that, replied Ivan.
blushing deeply. Don't be angry with
me, father, but used to practice in the
evenings, after work was over, on Carlo
Wits old fiddle. | was so unhappy after
you sent me away, and l could not hear
any more music"
"My poor boyr' said Michael. but
let me hear you play"
Ivan took his fathers violin, and
played slow, plaintive air upon it.
Then he changed the key and ratified off
a lively dance tune. Both were excellent
ly done.
81 could not have believed it possible"
said his father. "You will be better
player than ever have been. | can see
that Yes, you may 60 TO Patusta's and
tell him | sent you to take my place.
am sure ne Will Illdhc ub ulllCullf IL you
play to him half as well as you did to me
Just now. You are not afraid of the long
walk ?''
IP No, indeed" smiled Ivan. keep
your mind easy, Marscha,' he continued,
turning to his pale, anxious little sister.
I'm be back tonight somewhat late,
perhaps. with my pockets full of coppers,
with little silver mixed with them hope.
But it's good bit OF road, and must tell
Carlovltz not to expect me tonight. So
good bye, father; goodbye, Marscha ~
and off tripped the light-hearted boy.
At Patusta's farm all was hustle and ex-
element The first feelings of disap-
pointment on learning that Michael could
not come himself to the wedding, and had
sent 50 young a substitute, were quickly
allayed on hearing the mastery manner
with which the lad handled his fathers
bow. The most of the guests had heard
of the accident, and knew of the great
troubles that one after another had fallen
on the fiddler's family. General sympathy
was aroused The dancing, the happiness
and above all Iwan's lovely music, opened
their hearts. When the ball ended, about
two in the morning, the boy was dismissed
with not only the promise of payment for
his nights work, but the pocketful of
money of which he had spoken to Marscfa.
of which the greater part was not copper.
but shining white silver.
Who was so charming now as Ivan,